Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has spoken about his escape from the 2017 Borussia Dortmund team bus bombing, describing himself as 'fortunate to be alive'. The 20-year-old, now a key figure for the Gunners, was on the bus when three pipe bombs hidden in roadside hedges detonated as it travelled to a Champions League quarter-final against Monaco.
Merino believes a simple change of routine saved his life. He moved from his usual seat to a reclined position at the front because his legs felt tight. The explosion at around 7:15pm local time filled the air with metal pins with a reach of around 100 meters, hospitalising defender Marc Bartra with a wrist injury and injuring a police officer.
"I think I have an angel on my shoulder," Merino said. "I'm actually fortunate to be alive at all."
The attacker, Sergej Wenergold, was later sentenced to 14 years in prison after admitting he intended to profit from a drop in Dortmund's stock price, not to kill players. The match was postponed but played the following day, a decision that drew sharp criticism from then-manager Thomas Tuchel.
"A decision made in Switzerland that concerns us directly," Tuchel said at the time. "We will not forget it. It is a very bad feeling."
Merino's reflections come as he contributes to an Arsenal side sitting second in the Premier League with 15 points from six games. They face Nottingham Forest away next, looking to maintain their title challenge just three points behind leaders Manchester City. The squad's current depth and form is detailed on our squad page.
More detail at Daily Mail Sport
